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Ricard Alexis Jr and family

This string-bassist is the son of Sweet Emma Barrett. He seems to be a nephew of Lester T. Alexis (1914-1990), who recorded with George Miller for Mercury in

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, Aug 24, 2008

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This string-bassist is the son of Sweet Emma Barrett.

He seems to be a nephew of Lester T. Alexis (1914-1990), who recorded with George Miller for Mercury in 1949. Lester was residing with brother Ricard ("Musician, Independent", shown as born around 1896) in 1930.

Presumably brother Ricard is the father of Ricard, Jr. Ricard seems to be the man enumerated for the 1900 census as "Ricord Alexis", at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. His birth month is given as November 1895. (His 1917 draft card gives his birth as 15 November 1896). His parents are shown as Peter and Felicie.

Ricard, Sr could well have been the first husband or partner of Sweet Emma Barrett, who was born in 1897 and died in 1983. (She was still single as of 1920).

By 1930, she had married Gilbert Young and was known as Emma Young ("Musician, Band, odd jobs"). She was shown as aged 24(!), having first married at 16. Ricard Alexis is shown as Gilbert's stepson, aged 6. Gilbert was only 21 in 1930 and perhaps Emma was trying to discount the difference in age.

Emma was shown as Mrs. Emma B. Alexis (sic: mother) when Ricard Anthony Alexis Jr was wounded in action during the second World War.

Ricard Sr worked with Paul Barbarin, Papa Celestin, Percy Humphrey and others, and died in 1960, but his birth year has previously been shown as 1891. Does anyone know where that date comes from? Thanks.